Photo-electric device for classifying laundry materials



2 Sheets-Sheet l R. S. ELBERTY, JR

Filed April 17. 1931 if 212-21; I

Aug. 16, 1932.

PHOTO swc'rnxc DEVICE FOR CLASSIF'YING LAUNDRY MATERIALS ATTORNEY INVENTORY Robe/f 5. Elbe/23 ,0.

n wn'ncssks @mdxf HHHMM 8- 1932- R. s. ELBERTY. JR 1,372,258

PHOTO. ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR CLASSIFYING LAUNDRY MATERIALS Filed April 17. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w Tucsscs= INVENTOR @L/fiZ-J Robe/#5. flberfy flt AfTORNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE ROBERT B. ELBEBTY, TB, OI WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB 'IO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & KANUI'AOTUBING COMPANY, A CORPORATION Oil PENNSYL- VANIA PHOTO-ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR C LASSII 'YING LAUNDRY IATEBIALB Application fled April 17, 1881.

My invention relates to sorting apparatus and has particular relation to color sorting and classifying apparatus.

It is an ob ect of my invention to provide apparatus for sorting articles in accordance with the color characteristics of their surfaces.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for classifying objects in accordance with their color characteristics.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide apparatus of a type particularly usable in a laundry that shall classify objects to be laundered in accordance with their colors.

A further specific object of my invention is to provide a color-sensitive trigger for actuating the elements of a classifying system.

More concisely stated, it is an object of my invention to provide simple and tractable apparatus for accurately classifying objects in accordance with the colors reflected from their surfaces. I

According to my invention, I provide a sorting system incorporating a conveyor for advancing the articles to be sorted into a region wherein they are subjected to the influence of the radiations from a suitably disposed source. A radiation-responsive device, such as a photo-cell, is disposed in such manner as to receive the radiations reflected from, or transmitted through, the objects to be sorted. The response of the device varies with the color of the radiations emanating from the object. A contrivance for classifying the objects is movable relative to the conveyor and is actuated by the radiationresponsive device, the degree of actuation being dependent on the state of excitation of the radiation-responsive device.

The classifying device preferably comprises a rotatable hub having a plurality of spokes supported thereon. A plurality of classifying bins are secured to the spokes. The bins are brought, in succession, into juxtaposition with the conveyor, and the rotating member is stopped in such manner that a bin, provided for holding articles of the particular color of the article that has last 3, by which a plurality Serial No. 580,822.

actuated the radiation-responsive device, is in a position to receive the article.

The prime movers, which are provided for the bins and for the conveyor, are interlocked in such manner that, when one rotates, the other is at rest. Consequently, when the classifying member is actuated by the radiation-responsive device, the conve or is stopped. On the other hand, when t e classifying member stops with the particular bin selected by the article in its proper position, the conveyor is actuated to deliver the article to the bin.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fi e 1 is a view, in top plan view, showing t e principal elements of a system constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in section, taken along the hue II-II of Fig. 1, showing the disposition of the radiant-energy source and of the radiation-responsive device utilized in the practice of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View, showing the electrical circuits utilized for operating a system constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 4 is a view, in side elevation, showing a portion of the system illustrated in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a view, in section, showin the structure of a switch of a specific type ut1 d in apparatus of the type illustrated in Fig. 1.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a conveyor 1, to be driven by a motor of articles 5, to be sorted are advanced. n enclosure 7 is supported on a bracket 9 adjacent to the conveyor 1, and a source of radiations 15 and-a photo-sensitive device 17 are disposed in light-tight chambers 11 and 13 thereof. The container 7 is equipped with a plurality of openings 19 and 21 that are so oriented relative to each other that the light from the source 15 impinges on the articles 5 to be sorted and is rellected into the photo-sensitive device 17.

It is to be noted that the photo-sensitive device is represented symbolically in Figs. 2 and 3. It ordinarily comprises a photo-cell and an amplifying system, of a type wellknown in the art. la general, the source 15 and the photo-cell 17 are so chosen that the color response characteristic of the photo-cell follows a predetermined law.

A pluralit of classifying bins 23 are mounted on t 1e ends of a plurality of spokes 25 projecting from a hub 27 to be rotated by a motor 29. The motor 29 is geared to a shaft 31 to which the hub 27 is secured. As the hub 27 is rotated, the bins 23 are advanced along an annular track 33 into juxtaposition to the end of the conveyor 1. When the bin corresponding to the color of the article 5 that has been last sorted arrives adjacent to the conveyor 1, the motor 29 is stopped, and the conveyor motor 3 is started. The conveyor 1 then advances the articles 5 to the bin 23 that has been predetermined by the character of the articular article, and the article is deposite in the bin.

A preferred circuit whereby the system ma be operated is illustrated in Fig. 3.

ne terminal 35 of the photo-sensitive device 17 is connected to a terminal 37 of the power source, and the other terminal 39 of the photo-sensitive device feeds into the exciting element 41 of a selector switch 43. The response of the selector switch 43 is proportional to the state of excitation of the device 17 and, consequently, varies with the properties of the particular article 5 that is exciting the device 17.

The selector switch 43 may be of any well known structure and, ordinarily, comprises a pivotally-mounted contactor 45 to be rotated in accordance with the magnitude of the current feeding into the exciting element 41of the switch. A plurality of fixed contacts 47 are adapted to engage the movable contact 45 and to close a plurality of circuits through a plurality of switches 49 symmetrically disposed relative to the shaft 31 011 which the hub 27 of the bin supports are secure. Each of the switches 49 is equipped with a movable contactor 51 that is held in engagement with a fixed contact 53 by a spring 55 and is to be disengaged from the fixed contact 53 by the engagement of a dog 57, rigidly secured to the shaft 31, with an arm 58 secured to the movable contactor 51.

At the start of a cycle of operation of the system, an article 5 to be sorted is disposed in such manner as to influence photo-sensitive device 17. The movable element 45 of the selector switch 43 engages a corresponding fixed contact 47 predetermined by the color of the radiations reflected from the article 5, and a circuit is closed from the terminal 37 of the power source, through a conductor 59, a conductor 61, the movable contactor 45 of the selector switch 43, the particular fixed contactor 47 of the selector switch that is in engagement with the movable member 45, a conductor (53, the switch 49 associated with the particular fixed contactor 47 that is in engagement with the movable contactor 45 ot the selector switch 43, a conductor (55 associated with the fixed contactor 53 of the switch 49, a bus ring 67 common to the switches 49, a conductor 69, the exciting coil 71 of a relay 73, whereby power is supplied to the motor 29 driving the bin hub 27, and a conductor 75, to another terminal 77 of the power source.

The relay 73 is energized, and a'plurality of contactors 79, associated with the motor 29, are engaged by their corresponding fixed contacts 81. The motor 29 is energized to rotate the bins 23 until the dog 57 comes into engagement with the arm 58 fixed to the movable contactor 51 of the particular switch 49 through which the relay 73 was energized. In Fig. 3, the dog 57 is shown in engagement with the arm 58 of a switch 49.

When the arm 58 is thus engaged by the dog 57, the relay 73 associated with the motor 29, whereby the bins 23 are driven, is dcenergized and the motor is stopped. The relay 73 is equipped with a movable contactor 85 which is engaged by its corresponding fixed contacts 87 when the coil 71 is dcenergize'd, and closes a circuit from the terminal 37 of the source, through the conductor 59, a conductor 89, the movable contactor 85 of the relay 73, a conductor 91, the exciting coil 93 of a relay 95 associated with the motor 3, whereby the conveyor 1 is energized, and a conductor 97, to the terminal 77 of the source.

The relay 95 associated with the conveyor motor 3 is now energized, a plurality of contactors 99, associated with the terminals of the motor 3, are engaged by their corresponding fixed contacts 101, and the motor 3 is energized. The conveyor 1 then advances the article 5 to be sorted and deposits it in the proper bin 23.

lVhen the next article 5 advances to the region wherein it influences the photo-sensitive eye, it it is of the same color as the preceding article, the movable contactor 45 ot the selector switch 43 remains in the position that it has heretofore occupied, and the article continues to move and is deposited in the bin. However, if it is of a color different from the color of the first article, the movable contactor 45 of the selector switch 43 engages a fixed contactor 47 different from the fixed contactor 47 that it has heretofore engaged, and the relay 73 associated with the motor 29 that rotates the bins 23 is ener 'zed. As a result, the bins 23 are rotat and the relay 95 associated with the conveyor motor 3 is deenergized. The conveyor stops until the dog 57, disposed on the shaft 31 supporting the bins 23, engages the arm 58 of the switch 49 through which the bin motor 29 is now energized.

My invention has been shown herein as applied to a specific system, and a specific circuit has been shown as associated with it. It is manifest that there are a number of other circuits and a number of other systems to which m invention may be applied with facility. Fair example, the conveyor need not necessarily be of the translatory type, while the classifying system is of the rotary t pe. Systems wherein the conveyor is of t e rotary type and the classifier is of any other type will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are equivalents within the scope of my invention.

Althou h I have shown and described certain speci c embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Sorting apparatus comprising means for advancing a urality of articles to be sorted, a source 0 radiant energy associated with said advancing means, means responsive to the radiations from said source, as reflected from said articles to be sorted, means for classifying said articles to be sorted, and means, associated with said radiation-responsive means, for simultaneously rendering said classifying means active and said advancing means inactive.

2. Sorting apparatus com risin for advancing a plurality o artic es to be sorted, a source 0 radiant energ associated with said advancing means, means responsive to the radiations from said source, as reflected from said articles to be sorted, means for classifying said articles to be sorted, means, associated with said radiation-responsive means for simultaneously renderirg; said classifying means active and said a vancmg means inactive for periods of time predetermined by the character of the radiations reflected from said articles, and means for rendering said advancin after said predetermined periods of time.

3. Sorting apparatus comprising means for advancing'a p urali of articles to be sorted, a source of ra iant energy associated with said advancing means, means responsive to the radiations from said source, as reflected from said articles to be sorted, means for classifying said articles to be sorted, means, associated with said radiation-responsive means, for simultaneously rendering said means means active classifying means active and said advancing means inactive for periods of time predetermined by the character of the radiations reflected from said articles, and means, associated with said classifying means, for rendering said advancing means active after said predetermined periods of time.

4. Sorting apparatus comprising a conveyor for advancing a plurality of articles to be sorted, means for impressing radiant energy on the surfaces of said articles, means responsive to the radiant energy emitted by said articles, a plurality of containers to be successively disposed adjacent to said conveyors, means responsive to said radiant-energy-responsive means for initiating the motion of said containers, and means, responsive to the positions of said containers, for initiating the motion of said conveyor.

5. Sorting apparatus comprising a conveyor for advancing a plurality of articles to be sorted, means for actuating said conveyor, a plurality of containers to be successively disposed adjacent to said conveyor, means for actuating said containers, means responsive to the properties of said articles for simultaneously energizing said container-actuating means and deenergizing said conveyor-actuating means, and means associated with said container-actuating means for simultaneously energizing said conveyor-actuating means and deenergizing said container-actuating means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this'6th da of April, 1931.

ROBERT S. E BERTY, Ja. 

